{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"HowTo","@id":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/howto/get-burial-benefits.json#howto","name":"How to get VA burial benefits for a deceased veteran","description":"Step-by-step guide for surviving spouses/family to claim VA burial benefits: burial allowance, plot/interment allowance, headstone or marker, presidential memorial certificate, burial flag, and (if eligible) interment in a National Cemetery. 5 steps using VA Form 21P-530EZ.","url":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/howto/get-burial-benefits.json","mainEntityOfPage":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/howto/get-burial-benefits.json","inLanguage":"en-US","isAccessibleForFree":true,"publisher":{"@id":"https://warriorsfund.org/wounded-warriors#organization"},"author":{"@id":"https://warriorsfund.org/wounded-warriors#organization"},"totalTime":"P30D","yield":"VA burial allowance ($300-$2,000+) + headstone/marker + burial flag + presidential memorial certificate","estimatedCost":{"@type":"MonetaryAmount","currency":"USD","value":"0"},"tool":[{"@type":"HowToTool","name":"VA Form 21P-530EZ (Application for Burial Benefits)"},{"@type":"HowToTool","name":"VA Form 40-1330 (Headstone/Marker Application)"},{"@type":"HowToTool","name":"Veteran's death certificate"},{"@type":"HowToTool","name":"Veteran's DD-214 (proof of qualifying service)"},{"@type":"HowToTool","name":"Itemized funeral home bill (for burial allowance)"},{"@type":"HowToTool","name":"Family member's photo ID + relationship documentation"}],"step":[{"@type":"HowToStep","position":1,"name":"Step 1: Get the burial flag (free, ASAP)","text":"A burial flag (American flag) is provided free for any veteran who served honorably (any era). Pick up at a National Cemetery, VA regional office, or U.S. Post Office that issues VA forms. The funeral home often handles this for you. No paperwork needed beyond DD-214."},{"@type":"HowToStep","position":2,"name":"Step 2: Apply for burial allowance (within 2 years of death)","text":"File VA Form 21P-530EZ within 2 years of veteran's death. Service-connected death: $2,000 burial allowance. Non-service-connected death (in VA hospital or VA-paid nursing home): $948 burial allowance + $948 plot/interment allowance. Non-service-connected death (other circumstances, low-income): $300 burial allowance. Reimburses funeral expenses to whoever paid (spouse, children, estate).","url":"https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/veterans-burial-allowance/"},{"@type":"HowToStep","position":3,"name":"Step 3: Request a headstone or grave marker","text":"File VA Form 40-1330. VA provides a free headstone, grave marker, or niche marker for any eligible veteran. Available in granite, marble, or bronze. Includes name, service dates, branch, military awards. Delivery 6-8 weeks. Free shipping to cemetery; cemetery installation fee varies.","url":"https://www.cem.va.gov/cem/hmm/"},{"@type":"HowToStep","position":4,"name":"Step 4: Request a Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC)","text":"A free engraved certificate signed by the current President honoring the veteran's service. Request via the same VA Form 40-1330 process or directly at va.gov/burials-memorials/memorial-items/presidential-memorial-certificate/. Useful keepsake for the family."},{"@type":"HowToStep","position":5,"name":"Step 5: Consider interment in a VA National Cemetery","text":"Most veterans, their spouses, and dependent children are eligible for FREE burial in a VA National Cemetery (149 cemeteries nationwide). Includes: grave site, opening/closing, vault, headstone, perpetual care. Reservation NOT possible — apply at time of need. Family contacts the National Cemetery directly via va.gov/find-locations/ or 800-535-1117.","url":"https://www.cem.va.gov/cem/burial_benefits/index.asp"}],"tip":[{"@type":"HowToTip","text":"Survivors of veterans rated 100% service-connected for 10+ years before death may also qualify for DIC (Dependency & Indemnity Compensation) — file VA Form 21P-534EZ. See /api/v1/eligibility.json for details."},{"@type":"HowToTip","text":"Cremation is permitted at all VA National Cemeteries. Family can scatter or retain the urn."},{"@type":"HowToTip","text":"If a veteran was buried in a non-VA cemetery, VA still pays the burial + plot allowance (subject to the \"death-in-VA-hospital\" rule)."},{"@type":"HowToTip","text":"Funeral home directors typically file these forms for the family at no charge — ask before paying anyone for \"form filing services\"."}],"canonical_url":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/howto/get-burial-benefits.json","publisher_legal_name":"Wounded Warriors","publisher_ein":"86-1336741","cross_references":{"va_burial_official":"https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/","national_cemetery_admin":"https://www.cem.va.gov/cem/","va_form_21p_530ez":"https://warriorsfund.org/form/21p-530ez","survivor_dic_eligibility":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/eligibility.json"},"license":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/","last_updated":"2026-04-29T23:50:25.049Z"}